DOLE extends employment aid to flood-displaced Pangasinan folk

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Ilocos region has extended temporary employment assistance to 261 Pangasinan residents displaced by massive flloding last month.

DOLE-Region 1Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said his office will release 1 809,100 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) for the identified beneficiaries.

He said the amount will cover the wages of the TUPAD workers who will be receiving 1310 daily and will be engaged for 10 days in the clearing, cleaning and rehabilitation of their communities.

“This emergency employment is our contribution to the rehabilitation of the gravely affected areas being done by the provincial government of Pangasinan and other agencies,” Lacambra said.

Lacambra said the program will be implemented in Mangatarem, Lingayen, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Dagupan City and Rosales.

The provincial government has declared the entire province under a state of calamity after damage to agriculture and infrastructure was initially estimated at over 11 billion.

More than 10,000 families or 43,334 persons were displaced by the floods and rains, according to the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.